Page 108 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

Nessa grinned at her. “You are so freaking welcome. There’s no need to say thank you.”

“Well, I owe you. If there’s ever anything I can do for you.”

Nessa tilted her head to the side and Shayna wondered what she was about to say.

“The only thing I’ll ask of you is if you know any beautiful places, will you tell me your secrets? I travel a lot and I share photos of the places I go and stuff online. You’ll have to follow me, and you’ll see what I mean.”

Ty grinned at her. “We could send her to Summer Lake – it’s beautiful there.”

“We could,” said Shayna. “I … I don’t know when I can go again but …” It hit her all of a sudden that she really didn’t know when she’d get to see the lake again – or Alexis, and Davin, and Booker and … she inhaled deeply. It was fine. She’d go back when she could.

Nessa gave her a puzzled look, and Ty took hold of her hand.

“We’ll figure something out, Ness. For now, let me find a seat for my girl, okay?”

Shayna recovered from her moment of sadness when Nessa squealed. “Oh my gosh, Ty!” She grinned at Shayna. “I knew he had it in him to be great boyfriend material. He just needed the right girl to bring it out of him. I’m so glad he found you!”

Shayna nodded as Ty towed her away.

To her surprise, he didn’t take her in the same direction that Tanner had gone with their drinks, instead he led her toward a side door and didn’t stop until they were outside.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m good.”

He closed his arms around her and looked down into her eyes. “Talking about Summer Lake made you homesick, didn’t it?”

She shrugged. “Kind of … I guess.”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “It’s okay, Shay. You can tell me. I’m not going to get upset about it. I want you to be happy.” He frowned. “I want you to be safe, too, and that’s the reason you’re here instead of there.”

“I know. I’m okay. Honestly, Ty.” She rolled up onto her tiptoes so that she could kiss him. I’m happy that I’m with you. I’m happy to be here. I just … I miss them, too, you know?”

“I know, sweetheart. If you’re really not interested in going to Chico tonight, maybe you should give them a call – have a catch up?”

“Yeah, I think I will. I might need to call again tomorrow to speak to Booker; he’ll be at work tonight, but Alexis and Davin will probably be home.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Ty couldn’t stop smiling as he leaned back against the bar and watched Shay dance with Callie and the other girls.

Kolby grinned at him. “You look happy, bro.”

“That’s because I am.”

“Not that long ago, we’d lose you the minute we walked into Chico on a Saturday night like this and not see you again.”

Ty made a face. “Yeah, but those days are behind me now. And to be fair, things had changed for me even before I met Shay. For the last few months, I’d been hanging out with you all more than I was chasing tail.”

Tanner reached across the bar from where he was standing behind them and slapped the back of Ty’s head. “Yeah, you’ve been next to useless as a wingman for a while. I should have known you were headed down the same path as Kolby and Wade.”

Ty turned in his seat to grin at him. “I didn’t know it myself, but I was hoping.”

“What about you?” Kolby asked Tanner. “Any sign of you slowing down?”

Tanner shrugged. “I want to say no – I’m still having fun.” He chuckled. “And just think about all the ladies I’d leave disappointed!”

Ty laughed. “It’s true. And besides …” He frowned, not sure that he should say what he’d been thinking.

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